No injuries after hard landing at Colorado airport

AP , Associated Press

Sep. 2, 201312:30 AM ET

TELLURIDE, Colo. (AP) — A plane's landing gear collapsed as it arrived at the Telluride Regional Airport in Colorado on Sunday and skidded to a stop, but no injuries were reported among the 12 people on board, who included members of the team behind an upcoming book and documentary about famed author J.D. Salinger, officials said.

The twin-engine Beechcraft 1900 landed just after 1 p.m. and suffered damage to the left engine propellers and wing, the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office said.

Before the plane landed, members of the local fire department arrived at the scene to await its arrival after receiving advance notice that a light on the aircraft had shown its landing gear was not locked down.

There was no fire or smoke after the hard landing, but authorities said the aircraft suffered damage to the left engine propellers and the left wing. The 12 people on board included 10 passengers and two crew members.

"Salinger" author Shane Salerno, who was not on the flight, told The Associated Press that members of the film and book team were passengers on the flight along with family members of a person interviewed for the two projects.

It was not clear how many people connected with the film and book were on board.

"I am extremely grateful that everyone is okay," Salerno said in an email.

FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the aircraft was arriving from Denver when the left main landing gear collapsed.

The Los Angeles Times reported the team traveled to Colorado on Sunday to promote the Salinger documentary at the Telluride Film Festival.

The book is scheduled to be published this week and the film will air on PBS in January.

Sgt. Michael Westcott of San Miguel County said deputies gave the passengers a ride to the terminal building, where they retrieved their luggage and left the airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the incident.

TELLURIDE, Colo. (AP) — A plane's landing gear collapsed as it arrived at the Telluride Regional Airport in Colorado on Sunday and skidded to a stop, but no injuries were reported among the 12 people on board, who included members of the team behind an upcoming book and documentary about famed author J.D. Salinger, officials said.